Hutchinson House

Jim Hutchinson was born enslaved on Edisto Island in c.1835. He enlisted in the Union Navy, survived the American Civil War, and returned home to become known as one of the “Black Kings of Edisto.” He persued his dream of land ownership and in 1875 purchased 404 acres that became the Clark Community. His son, Henry Hutchinson built the Hutchinson House and was a successful cotton farmer with his own cotton gin that he used for his own cotton as well as the neighboring Black farmers, helping promote economic prosperity in their community at the turn of the 20th century.

How to get involved: If you are interested in volunteer opportunities, please email Denzel Wright at dw@edisto.org To donate to the project go to Hutchinson.givesmart.com or text Hutchinson to 76278

Challenges :Fundraising. The total cost of the Hutchinson House restoration is just over 1 million dollars especially since the pandemic happened mid-project causing construction costs to sky-rocket.

Problems Solved :Create a team of invested partners who are committed to your project. Volunteers are the life-blood of this project from helping stablize the house, clean up the grounds, mow the grass; we couldn’t do this without our volunteer base.